Chapter 213
Chapter 213
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Translator: Ace
Chapter: 213
Chapter Title: Revelations Under the Moon
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Thud, thud-.
The formation had vanished, and Unhyang walked into the manor alongside Soo-hyuk.
Leading the way ahead of them was Jin Un. Unhyang kept stealing glances at his back.
"Is there something on the back of my head?"
As if he had eyes in the back of his head.
Unhyang hesitated before answering Jin Un's question.
"No, just... it's fascinating."
"What's so fascinating about it?"
"I heard you disappeared long ago. That you handed all your formation techniques over to the Zhuge Clan."
The greatest formation master of all time.
That was the epithet that always preceded Jin Un's name.
He had appeared in the murim world one day, only to suddenly pass all his techniques to the Zhuge Clan and vanish without a trace.
There were many speculations about why he had disappeared.
Some said he had died, others that he had joined the Zhuge Clan.
Occasionally, people claimed to have seen him, but no one knew where Jin Un truly was.
And yet.
"Who would have thought you were the master performing treatments..."
This Jin Un was the very same master who had treated Soo-hyuk.
"Are you planning to start working again?"
"No."
Jin Un paused for a moment, taking in the scenery of the manor.
"I have no intention of leaving this house."
With that, Jin Un resumed walking.
Unhyang stood there briefly, surveying the manor Jin Un had mentioned.
It was a beautiful manor. Not overly large, but meticulously maintained with evident care.
But she doubted Jin Un would say such a thing just because it was a pretty house.
"You coming or not?"
The call came to Unhyang as she admired the view.
Realizing she had fallen behind, she hurried to respond.
"Coming!"
Jin Un guided Soo-hyuk and Unhyang to the annex.
Creak-.
The door slid open, revealing the inside of the annex. A table laden with food wafted a savory aroma.
Jin Un clicked his tongue in disapproval.
"You really have to eat like that."
"Mmph, mmph, mmph-."
Inside, with his mouth stuffed full of noodles, was Cheongryang.
Spotting Unhyang and Soo-hyuk entering, he jumped to his feet, noodles still dangling from his mouth.
"Mm, mmph!"
"So gross, seriously!"
Unhyang deftly dodged Cheongryang as he lunged toward her with noodles flapping.
Cheongryang tumbled forward, swallowing the food in his mouth before shouting.
"Hey! Because of you, damn it!"
His cry was thick with grievance.
Unhyang glared at him, eyes fierce.
"What, because of me? Then why'd you go charging in like an idiot?"
"Idiot? Hey! Why would I go there!"
"You should've told me instead of going!"
"If I did, you'd just come back bawling like a moron!"
"Mo, moron...? You done talking?"
"Did I say anything wrong... Gahk!"
"Ow! Let go!"
Unhyang grabbed Cheongryang by the collar and shook him. Cheongryang, refusing to back down, yanked at her hair in return.
Soo-hyuk let out a hollow chuckle as he watched the two screaming at each other to let go.
He had expected a more touching reunion, maybe with hugs and tears, or at least something quieter.
'Same as always.'
Cheongryang, unable to win with strength, clung to her hair, while Unhyang resisted without overpowering him physically.
'Like us.'
That's how he and his friends had been.
They'd yell first out of worry, fight, and make up.
And yet they became friends because they truly cared for each other.
That was exactly the relationship between Unhyang and Cheongryang.
It was a relief.
To see this sight again.
On the other hand, Jin Un looked puzzled at the pair fighting immediately upon reuniting.
"Weren't you two close?"
"That's why they're like that."
"So?"
"You can't act like that unless you're really close."
Even after the explanation, Jin Un didn't seem to get it.
He had family once, but never friends.
"How long are you staying here?"
"About four or five days."
"That's specific. Do you have something planned?"
"I have insurance. Though, if you think about it, you're one of them too, Uncle."
"Insurance?"
Soo-hyuk glanced at Unhyang as he spoke.
Was that girl the insurance?
Jin Un furrowed his brow, still not understanding, then turned away.
"Rest then."
And with that, he quietly slipped away to avoid disturbing the still-brawling pair.
Night fell over Jin Un's manor.
Soo-hyuk and Cheongryang slept late. Whether it was Cheongryang, who had been beaten and imprisoned for so long, or Soo-hyuk, who had unleashed a barrage of lightning, both were exhausted equally.
Clink, clink-.
Under the moonlight, Jin Un sat on the veranda, pouring himself a drink alone.
The strong liquor stung his nose sharply. It was unfamiliar to him, who usually steeped and sipped tea every day.
'The moon's hidden.'
He had wanted to gaze at the moon with a drink after so long.
Of course, on a night like this, not even a full moon—just not a sliver in sight.
As if clouds hid it on this perfect night. Regretful, but Jin Un sipped his drink without snacks, staring at the pitch-black sky.
"Drinking alone?"
As he tilted back a glass, Unhyang's voice came from behind.
Turning, he saw Unhyang, still not asleep.
"Bed uncomfortable?"
"No way. I've slept anywhere since I was little."
"Then?"
"Forgot to say something."
She bowed deeply from the waist in greeting.
"I was so out of it, I forgot to thank you. Thank you for helping. I survived because of you."
"Because of me?"
Jin Un snorted.
He gestured with his eyes toward the annex where Cheongryang slept.
"I helped that kid. You could've gotten out on your own, couldn't you?"
A rebuke asking why she was thanking him on her behalf.
But Unhyang had her reasons.
"That's true, but... I couldn't just leave it like that."
"Why?"
"Because that kid risked his life for me."
"So you did the same? Risked your life right back?"
"He's my friend."
It still didn't make sense to him.
These two would risk their lives for each other, yet fight like dogs at the slightest annoyance.
Friend.
Could a bond really deepen to the point of staking one's life?
He wanted to deny it, but he couldn't.
With Unhyang and Cheongryang right before his eyes, Jin Un had already witnessed such bonds twice.
"Not even family..."
"There are families worse than strangers in this world."
Unhyang smiled brightly at Jin Un, who couldn't grasp their relationship.
"If you call someone you love enough to risk your life for family, then Cheongryang is my family."
With that, Unhyang sat across from Jin Un at the table.
"Don't you have someone like that, Uncle?"
"Me?"
"Yeah. Someone like Cheongryang or Mr. Soo-hyuk to me."
Jin Un didn't answer right away.
Not because no one came to mind.
Quite the opposite.
"...I did."
Someone came to mind before the question even finished.
No, someone he always thought of.
"Not like family—real family."
Blood kin in the literal sense, and family in the way Unhyang meant.
Such a person.
"Real family?"
"I had a daughter."
It was the night, the alcohol, and Unhyang's presence.
Jin Un uttered words that had festered inside him for so long.
"Eunhyang. That was my daughter's name."
Past tense.
Meaning she was gone now.
Instead of the tactless question of where she was now, Unhyang shifted the topic.
"Her name's similar to mine."
"That's the biggest reason I helped you two."
Unhyang's eyes wavered at the seemingly trivial reason.
To help over something like a similar name—even risking conflict with the Divine Alliance.
Longing emanated from Jin Un, drinking melancholically alone.
Unhyang hoped his wound wouldn't fester further.
"You must have... loved her deeply."
"I did."
"Why did she leave?"
So Unhyang probed Jin Un's wound.
Before it rotted further. Even if it bled again, she hoped it would heal cleanly.
Fortunately, once he started, Jin Un spoke without hesitation.
"She died."
But then.
"To the Heavenly Demon."
Unhyang's heart plummeted at the answer.
'To who...?'
Thump. Her heart pounded fiercely.
Heavenly Demon.
Why did that name surface here again?
It felt like the crimson chains of fate she had barely shaken off were coiling around her once more.
Jin Un, unaware of Unhyang biting her trembling lips, continued lost in reminiscence.
"I wanted revenge, but there was no way. I met someone who could grant my wish once, but even he's gone far away now."
Draining his glass, Jin Un refilled it.
Only after downing several shots of the potent liquor did he voice his longing.
"For a while, I forgot reality. If only someone could die in my place like you, but I never got that chance."
"Do you... miss her a lot?"
"You think?"
Crack-.
With that, Jin Un clutched his chest with his fist.
"I miss her... so damn much."
"......"
Unhyang's trembling lips stilled at Jin Un's words.
Heavenly Demon. And revenge.
As if resolving something, she looked at Jin Un across the table.
"Revenge... Do you still want it?"
"No way now."
"No. You can."
She had thought she might tell someone someday.
It could be Cheongryang, or Soo-hyuk.
Vaguely, she believed those two might understand.
But.
"-I'm that guy's daughter."
She never imagined it would be someone she met today.
"Daughter...?"
Jin Un's face was stunned.
As if the shock had burned away the alcohol haze, his longing-clouded eyes sharpened blue.
Unhyang squeezed her eyes shut.
Even if she died by Jin Un's hand right now, she wouldn't resent him. That's why she spoke.
She believed he deserved to know.
But.
"You..."
Anger, killing intent, resentment.
What emerged from Jin Un after a long pause was none of those.
"You've suffered so much."
"...Yes?"
Had she misheard?
Unhyang doubted her ears.
If not her, then Jin Un must have. Convinced, she opened her eyes.
"No, I said I'm the Heavenly Demon's daughter?"
"I heard you loud and clear."
"You heard, so why-."
"It's not your fault, is it?"
A lump rose in her throat.
His casual words struck her heart.
To say she'd never thought that way would be a lie. Once, she had too.
"Don't you want to get found out? That you're carrying that demon's blood."
Why should I be a criminal just because I'm his daughter, just because I share that demon's blood?
"What would they do if they knew you're that demon's daughter?"
I didn't choose to be that guy's daughter.
She had only thought it, never voiced it.
Fear that people would change if they knew who she was. Fear that the hatred and blades aimed at the Heavenly Demon would turn on her.
Cheongryang had appeared in her dreams several times, saying.
"If I'd known who you were, I never would've become friends."
...Terrified of hearing such words, she never dared.
And yet.
"You've endured so much heartache, poor child."
"Hic-."
Who knew words from another could comfort like this for the first time.
"Waaah, waaaaa......"
"That's it. Cry."
Jin Un hesitated, then awkwardly reached out.
Having never comforted anyone, he patted her shoulder as he'd heard somewhere.
Emotion poured from her quivering shoulders.
Unhyang's sobbing back and shoulders overlapped with his past self.
"You have wounds in your heart too, so you're a victim as well."
Just like me.
Swipe-.
Jin Un looked up at the sky.
The clouds had parted, revealing the moon. The once pitch-black sky now glowed with its light.
'You're a twisted one too.'
Jin Un addressed the revealed moon, naming it fate.
'It would've been enough if she just shared the name. Why bring this child to me?'